Cannon Secretary Chair

Date

1908

Dimensions

35 7/8 × 17 5/8 × 21 1/2 in. (91.1 × 44.8 × 54.6 cm)

Accession Number

2008.024.000

Credit Line

Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives

Object Details

The first House Office Building—later the Cannon House Office Building—planned for every detail, and for durability. This revolving typewriter chair was made specifically for the building. The call for proposals from furniture makers specified that all pieces be made from “the very best quality Cuban or Mexican mahogany.” Revolving chairs were to “be mounted on ball bearing chair irons of stamped steel,” and “all mechanical features must be of the latest, most substantial and very best possible construction.”